Basic Ingredients for Chinese Cooking
Part of the Chinese Cooking For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Stock your pantry with basic ingredients for Chinese cooking so that you can whip up an authentic Chinese meal on a moment’s notice. Just add whatever fresh meat, fish, and produce you feel like — and before you know it, you’ll have a balanced, quick, and easy-to-make dish on your table.
| Sauces and Condiments | Spices and Seasonings |
|---|---|
| Prepared black bean sauce | Chinese five-spice powder |
| Chile oil | Chinese hot mustard |
| Chile paste or sauce | Whole and crushed dried red chiles |
| Hoisin sauce | Sichuan peppercorns |
| Oyster-flavored sauce | Star anise |
| Plum sauce | White pepper, ground |
| Rice vinegar | Canned and Dried Ingredients |
| Rice wine (or dry sherry) | Bamboo shoots |
| Sesame oil | Broth (canned or homemade) |
| Soy sauce | Cornstarch |
| Vegetable oil (peanut oil preferred) | Dried black mushrooms |
| Noodles | Long-grain rice |
| Cellophane or bean thread noodles | Sesame seeds |
| Dried egg noodles (store in freezer if fresh) | Straw mushrooms |
| Dried rice noodles | Water chestnuts |
